Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-29

taAC
..Well. don't feel badly about It,"
said the man with gun. Its all
right, Santa Claus Make yourself
perfectly at home"
'.lnvite your friend to step this way,
Bob," said another young man who
had been leaning negligently on a big
iron poker near by. As he spoke he
turned toward door leading to an adj
joining room.
with pleasure. George. Ny dear
Santa Claus. will you be SO good as to
come with us?"
The muzzle of Bob's gun silently re-
peated this polite invitation. and l had
no hesitation in accepting it.
On reaching the next room the
young man with the poker turned to
me and said. with sweeping gesture
in the direction Of a big Christmas
tree which lowered at his side:
behold, Santa Claus. what you
were doubtless looking for when We in
truded upon you?
LET me suggest that any little
token of affection which you choose to
leave for the occupants of this house
might very well be tied on the branches
of this tree, as we carelessly neglected
to hang up our stockings. We shall
be happy to render You any assistance
that we can,
Gents" said I, ''if you'll let me ex-
plain"
"Now." exclaimed Bob, Il insist,
my dear Santa Claus. that no explana-
ton is necessary. This being. Christ
mas eve. nothing is more natural than
that you should give us call. as
sure you that you are welcome. Your
appearance is not precisely what I
should have expected. but that is
mere trifle. Now shall we proceed to
business?'
Amy thing that suits You. gents"
muttcred. The two were such cool
hands that was ready to drop with
amazement.
George" said the chap with the
shotgun. "be good enough to assist
our distinguished friend to arrange his
presents OH the Christmas tree"
with pleasure, Bob. Santa Claus.
ifyou will keep your hands above your
head in that graceful position little
while longer will attend to all the
minor details of the ceremony"
With that he dived into my pocket
and fishcd out my revolver.
"What a pretty toyr' exclaimed
George, as he turned it about in his
hands THAT will have a charming
effect when hung properly"
He mounted q step-ladder and tied
my revolver to the topmost bough of
the tree.
'Ah, what have we heres" exclaimed
George, as he reached into my pocket
again and drew forth sandbag. lit
tie weapon for which 1 have a special
fondness. This is almost as pretty a
trinket as the other" Then he hung
it on the tree.
After that he strung up my dark Ian
tern, Then in turn he pulled off my
mask. robbed ME of my jimmy, bot
tie of chloroform. bunch of skeleton
keys and several other instruments Pc
culiar to my line of business. He also
pulled my shoes out of my pocket,
where had placed them before enter
ing the house for safe-keeping until 1
should be ready to depart All these
articles he gravely tied on the branches
of the Christmas tree.
When George had swung my shoes
across bough and had trotted down
the step-ladder for the last time he
struck an attitude and said:
Il am charmed. my dear Santa
Claus. to have the privilege of return
ing thanks for these beautiful presents.
Your taste is excellent. l trust you
will give us permission to distribute
them as we choose among the other
members of our family. All. thanks;
see that you consent. And now,
Santa Claus, l and my emotional friend
at your side have confession to make.
For some years past we have been
skeptical regarding your existence.
We doubted whether you would come
tonight to deck our Christmas tree,
and so we arose from bed at this un-
holy hour of night to deck it ourselves.
But our skepticism has been properly
rebuked by you and we humbly beg
your pardon. Do you grant it? All,
thanks"
l made no attempt to reply to this
rubbish After a painful pause said:
Scents. with your permission. I
think I'll be going"
$50 soonr remarked Bob. getting a
better grip on his gun. This is hard"
he added. pretending to weep.
"Adieu. Santa Claus" said George.
Don't forget to make US another call
next Christmas"
/ started for the door.
The chimney is over yonder. Santa
Claus" said Bob. wagging his head in